Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Fake Plants Capture Carbon?
Have a look at this TreeHugger article in which it is claimed that a synthetic tree captures more carbon than real trees. mmmmm...Treehuggers, what do you think about this?
More on Coal and Carbon Capture (SA Relevant)
Check out Frank Spencer's recent blog entry raising some pertinent points regarding the cost of Carbon Capture and Storage and how it will impact on the cost of electricity produced from coal (specifically in South Africa), also questioning whether there is such a thing as clean coal. This blog entry also offers some informative links on this subject. (Frank Spencer is the CEO of G-Tech Energy).
What Michael Left Behind for the Green Movement
Michael Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) - Whether you loved him or hated him, this song (The Earth Song) and video by Michael is worth the listen/watch.
Monday, June 29, 2009
A Case for Trade
While we all aim to buy local to reduce our negative impact on the environment, simultaneously stimulating our local economy and generating local jobs, we found this Engineering News article offering an interesting take on how trade could have a positive impact on (reducing)emissions of green house gases. We will leave it up to you to make up your own mind on this. One interesting point that came to mind is that with the effects of climate change (for example in agriculture), trade will probably continue to fill an important roll in providing food where food can no longer grow (due to climate change). One thing is for certain, as Unep executive director Achim Steiner indicated, this needs to be dealt with at the UN climate convention in Copenhagen in December. If only our modes of long distant transport were clean and sustainable!!
Renewable Energy Feed in Tariffs for SA - Some Hope for Solar PV and Biomass?
Although everyone welcomed the implementation of Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariffs (REFIT)for South Africa, many of us were disappointed that this did not include solar pv and biomass. Currently the REFIT system makes provision for Concentrated Solar Power (CSP), but not for solar power made using photovoltaics. Also, although the current REFIT does include landfill gas, it does not include biomass. In this Engineering News article, it is stated: “Large-scale projects are fine for Refit, and there is a good chance that large-scale solar PV will be on Refit before the end of the year,”, adding that "it may even be decided that small-scale solar PV, under a certain capacity, might not even require a licence." It goes on to indicate that that SA will hopefully (by September this year) be given more clarity on what other renewables may become eligible for REFIT.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
"Green" Celebs in the Spotlight
Check out this Simply Green article about how many celebs are not only putting their money into green technology, but also getting involved in green activism. On the same note, yesterday, Hollywood actress, Darryl Hannah, along with a group of other activists were arrested for protesting against mountaintop coal mining in the USA. Find out more, here on Treehugger.
Higher Electricity Tarrifs & New Levy on Non-Renewable Power Generation Comes into effect on 1 July 2009
Eskom's Electricity tariffs will increase as from 1 July 2009 by an amount of 31.3% (this is slightly short of the massive 34% increase Eskom applied for). Read more here, in this Engineering News Article. At the same time, read this Engineering News article about the 2c/kWh (SARS) tax on electricity generated from non-renewable resources which will also be implemented starting 1 July.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
SA Energy Update
It was just yesterday that we asked "When are they going to listen?". Read this Engineering News article outlining what Energy Minister Dipuo Peters said about renewable energy in Parliament on the very same day. For a copy of the full speech, contact ninetteatfreelifeonearth.org. On the other hand, look at this Engineering News article, which again points to Eskom's financial woes and its plans to continue down the coal and nuclear path. Yes, change cannot happen over night, but it is certainly clear that we MUST seriously start looking at decentralised and REAL renewable power options!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Carbon Capture - The Coal Industry's Lifesaver?
I've been following many articles regarding the proposal of coal capturing as a solution for cutting carbon emissions made by the coal industry. If I were to draw my own conclusion, I would be tempted to say that this 'technology' could be compared to an analogy... "sweeping things under the carpet". I found two recent developments regarding this subject:- Here, on Greenpeace's website, and this Planetark article reporting on Germany delaying the rolling out of its planned carbon capture & storage law. I wonder if South Africa is still looking at this option? I dug up this old Engineering News article which might be of interest.
Giant Solar Power Plant Planned for Development in Africa to Power German Households
Check out this Reuters article regarding the plans by a consortium of large companies to build a giant solar power project to be based in Africa which will supply power to German households. If we do not harvest the sun's energy for our own purposes, other countries will beat us to it!
Developers of an Industrial Park in East London Turn to Renewables
In this Engineering News article, developers confirm that they have issued a tendor for consultants to undertake a renewable energy study in the Eastern Cape. The appointment of consultant(s) to undertake the study will take place by 6 July 2009. We'll be following this one closely!
Renewable Energy - When Will They Listen?
In this very enlightening Renewable Energy Focus article derived from a speech given by Dieter Holm in Germany, it states that "...Africa could potentially generate 95% of the world's solar thermal and solar electrical energy." AND, in this Mongabay article, a National Academy of Science study reveals that "...wind power could provide for the entire world’s current and future energy needs." When will the 'powers that be' listen??
First Large Scale Floating Wind Turbine Off the Coast of Norway
Check out this CNet news article. If this pilot project is successful, it could spur on the development of similar projects in countries which could not consider offshore wind farms in the past due to not having shallow enough coastal waters.
Update on the Establishment of Green Courts in SA
Our Minister of Environmental & Water Affairs has confirmed the go ahead for the re-establishment of the Environmental courts. This Engineering News article elaborates and also highlights other ideas the Minister has in mind to protect our environment. Also see this News24 article for more on Minister Sonjica's plans.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Greening SA Cities, Digital Text Books in California & More on SA's Price of Electricity
On Friday the 19th June 2009, FLOE attended a Discussion Forum called "Green Energy for SA Cities" hosted by the City of Cape Town and the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies (Stellenbosch University). The discussion focused on what the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is doing in terms of greening its energy and also on what the City of Cape Town is doing in this regard. We will elaborate on this shortly, but in the interim, have a look at this Simply Green article about what California is doing to green itself. This article also takes a look at digital textbooks replacing paper textbooks at schools and how all factors should be considered when going this route. In the meanwhile, back in South Africa, an economist puts to question the real price of electricity in SA and has some strong words for Eskom, in this Fin24 article. On that same subject, we are expecting there to be an announcement this week about whether NERSA will approve Eskom's price hike application.
New York City Billboard - A "Live" Greenhouse Gas Counter
Check out this Simply Green article about the unveiling of a massive billboard displaying a 'real time'carbon counter. I wonder how it is powered and how they get the figures?
Thursday, June 18, 2009
WWF & Other NGO's Unveil Draft Copenhagen Climate Treaty
On 8th of June, this draft treaty was unveiled in Germany and is said to be a benchmark "legally binding agreement" for the world's governments to consider leading up to Copenhagen's Climate Conference to be held at the end of this year. Read more, here on WWF's website (you will also find a link there to the actual treaty document which is 160 pages long).
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Major Solar Water Heater Project to be Rolled Out in PE
Read this Engineering News article to find out more about the Central Energy Fund & the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality's plans to have as many as 100 000 solar water heaters installed in the area. The CEF has extended the period for interested parties to bid for the supplying of the solar water heaters to 13 July 2009.
15 Year Old Boy Invents Green All-in-One Solution for the Poor
Yesterday we celebrated Youth Day in South Africa. Thankfully, the children of today are so much more aware of how their actions can impact life and the environment. Read this Simply Green article about a 15 year old boy who has invented a cheap all-in-one biodigestor/biofuel energy generator/waste processing/food & income generating system. In honour of the youth, let us continue taking proactive steps to reducing our negative impact on Earth. It is the children who will inherit what we leave behind.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Green Business & Property
A recent Realestate Web article reported on a big real estate company going green. To find out how you can add your business to FLOE's Responsible Corporates list or how to become a FLOE Green Partner, or for tips on how to Green your business, contact me on: ninetteatfreelifeonearth.org. If you are in the business of property, also check out this article on how green building legislation could impact your business [and find out about the GBCSA's (Green Building Council of South Africa's) new GreenStar SA Rating System.] Also check out this Engineering News article about the recent launch of a code used for monitoring the environmental performance of buildings by collecting resource consumption data. This tool will allow users to pinpoint and address consumption inefficiencies.
Swopping Rain Forests for Crops & Pastureland
A study has shown that (in addition to the negative impact on the environment), replacing forests with crops and pastureland is also not economically sustainable and does not benefit local people over the long run (but I suppose that goes without saying!). Read more, here in this BBC News Article.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
US Study Compares "Full Life-Cycle" Emissions for Different Modes of Transport
Cars worse, Trains worse than planes? Read more here, on NewScientist.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
A Green Light for Green Courts?
A recent Cape Times report indicates that Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Bujelwa Sonjica would like to see specialised Environmental Courts to return to SA. Such a court was in place previously, however, only for a short period before it was shut down again. The Environmental Court which only dealt with environmental crimes and employed specialist court staff, has been shown to have a much higher success rate compared to environmental cases heard by the ordinary courts.
Global Airliners Commit to "Carbon-neutral Growth"
Read this Engineering News article, in which the global industry body International Air Transport Association announces its vision to reduce carbon emissions and let us know your views on whether what they propose to do is good enough.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Electricity tariff increase: Where does Renewable Energy Fit in?
The National Energy Regulator of SA (NERSA) is in the process of considering Eskom's proposed interim price increase application. Many questions, concerns and objections have been raised regarding the state utility's proposed increase. View FLOE's comments submitted to NERSA, here. In this Engineering News article, you will find some interesting statements regarding the obstacles Eskom is facing as well as some pertinent questions raised by stakeholders. In this Engineering News article, Cosatu asks NERSA to reject Eskom's tariff increase application and called for energy policy which makes heavy electricity users pay more and the poor pay less. In this Fin24 article (source: SAPA), a municipality calls the 34% interim price increase application "unlawful", and The Energy Intensive User Group (EIUG)calls for an audit of certain costs incurred by Eskom.
World Ocean Day, 8 June 2009
Today, approximately 70% of the world's stocks of exploited species are at, or below, minimum levels for sustainability and many species of fish have had their populations reduced by 90% or more. Source: Dr Pat Garret in Simply Green article "Where Have all the Fish Gone". On this day, FLOE encourages you to make the commitment to not buy / consume fish species that are rare or endangered. For more information on which choice of fish to go for or which restaurants, retailers and wholesalers are onboard, visit SASSI's website, Or SMS the name of the fish to 079-499-8795 (not sure how much the sms is charged at). Also check out the wealth of information regarding this topic found in Simply Green's May/Jun09 issue.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Draft Climate Change Policy a Work in Progress
Minister of Water & Environmental Affairs, Sonjica, elaborates on the above and also raises a good point about how the concept (climate change)needs to be "demystified" (to enable all citizens to grasp it's meaning). Read more, here on Engineering News.
Update - Energy News
A recent report on Eskom's funding requirements. Will Eskom find a private partner? - read more, on Engineering News and read how Eskom plans to reduce its capital costs, here on Engineering News. Also see some interesting stats regarding a recent drop in energy consumption in SA here, on Engineering News. Also, a call for a neutral and transparent energy database in South Africa offering transparent information to help spur on potential foreign investment and energy reforms. Read more, here on Engineering News.
World Environment Day, 5 June 2009
FLOE would like to wish everyone a happy World Environment Day! On this day, let us all be reminded of our commitment to lessening our negative impact on our natural environment. Let's choose a life of living more consciously for the sake of the well being and continued survival of all magical and unique inhabitants of this beautiful planet!
Dutch Funded Waterless Toilets in a South African Informal Settlement
In early May 2009, a pilot project was initiated involving the installation of Dutch funded and supplied waterless toilets at an informal settlement in Cape Town. The City of Cape Town has partnered with the Dutch consortium in an effort to improve sanitation problems and to create employment. Read more about it here, on IOL.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Harnessing the Sun's Full Energy Potential
Check out this article on Simply Green's site if you are interested in some interesting facts and figures regarding the harnassing of solar power in different ways on a large scale.
Cape Town's New Virtual "Green" Map!
The City of Cape Town's Environmental Resource Management Department together with Urban Sprout and A&C Maps are launching Cape Town's first Virtual Green Map tomorrow, 5 June 2009. This map shows where to find biodiversity hot spots, green spaces, sustainable living projects, alternative energy sites, recycling projects and drop-offs, local green events, markets, eateries, responsible tourism, green accommodation, eco products and services, green attractions, alternative energy sites and more! Check it out on: www.capetowngreenmap.co.za.
Genetically Modified Foods in SA
Good News: Biowatch wins Constitutional Court Case - Read more here, on Urban Sprout.
Hewlett-Packard Launches Energy Conservation Initiative
HP's new 'Power to Change' initiative encourages pc users to change their pc habits with the view of conserving energy. Find out more about this campaign here.
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